William Way Community Center Offering LGBT Alternative to Papal Visit

The William Way LGBT Community Center is offering a series of alternative programming during the upcoming World Meeting of Families and Papal Visit in hopes to appeal to those in the LGBTQ community that may feel alienated or unwelcome during the plethora of Catholic activities that are taking place in Philadelphia.

The “Celebration of Inclusive Family” will take place September 25 through the 26 and will feature performances, art exhibits, and services available to anyone who wishes to take part in them.

“The Center has long believed that religious and spiritual communities are an important part of the LGBT fabric,” said the Center’s Executive Director, Chris Bartlett. “We’re pleased to provide a warm and welcoming space for LGBT and allied Catholics and others who are in the City during the very busy weekend of Pope Francis’ visit.”

Included in this fellowship is a “relaxation and recharge” room that will be open Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26 from 12 to 4 pm, featuring a “curated meditative environment” plus a place to recharge phones. Also on tap is a visit from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the “leading-edge order of queer nuns,” on Saturday, September 26 at 1 pm and Cabaret Verite’s Our Family Meeting, featuring performances and music on Saturday, September 26 at 8 pm (tickets are $18-25 and are available here).

In addition, the Center will be opening an art installation on September 14 called Undoing Knots, which is “a secular interpretation of Pope Francis’ favorite Marian devotion, ‘Mary, Undoer of Knots.'” Guests will be able to “tie a knot on an over-sized loom representing a problem of obstacle that they are facing. Obstacles could include homophobic, systematic oppression, addiction, housing insecurity, loss of a love one or any other issue.”

Also, the Center’s regular resources, including free wifi and water, will be up and running for guests. For more information, visit their website.